UGC NET Questions (Paper – 1)

Most conventional plastics are made of long-chain polymers that do not break down easily by microbial action. This non-biodegradability means they persist for decades or centuries in landfills, soils and oceans, fragmenting into microplastics and harming wildlife. Thus, the key problematic property is their long-term persistence in the environment.

Option A:
Option A is incorrect because plastics do not decompose into harmless nutrients within days; that behaviour is typical of organic wastes like food scraps, not synthetic polymers.

Option B:
Option B is correct because it highlights non-biodegradability and very long persistence, which lead to accumulation of plastic debris and microplastics in ecosystems.

Option C:
Option C is incorrect since many common plastics can be recycled under suitable conditions; the problem is not that recycling is impossible, but that it is often insufficiently implemented.

Option D:
Option D is incorrect because most plastics are insoluble in water; they tend to float or sink rather than dissolving and disappearing.